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Cornell researcher: moderate mowing can boost biodiversity; CCRPC members weigh 'Raise the Blade' outreach
Summary
At a Dec. 5 CCRPC Clean Water Advisory Committee meeting, Dr. Kyle Wickings (Cornell) said some mowing regimes increased turf biodiversity; members discussed whether municipalities should join the Raise the Blade campaign and raised concerns about costs, pests and pollutant impacts.
Dr. Kyle Wickings of Cornell University told the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission’s Clean Water Advisory Committee on Dec. 5 that his turf-grass research found moderate mowing frequency and appropriate heights can increase plant biodiversity and strengthen root networks. “Take home was that mowing is actually good for biodiversity!” he said.
The study, Wickings said, noted benefits of turf grasses, including carbon sequestration and erosion prevention, but did not comprehensively assess pollutant retention such as chloride and phosphorus. Committee members pressed on those gaps: Brian Voigt asked whether the study could “demonstrate a cost savings for mowing less frequency,” and Alex Dobbs asked about alternatives such as haying fields.
Staff raised a related outreach question: whether CCRPC or municipalities subject to municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) requirements should formally support the Raise the Blade campaign (link circulated by staff). Dan Albrecht said some initial campaign funding came from the Lake Champlain Basin Program and asked whether municipalities wanted to participate beyond informal messaging.
Members gave mixed reactions. Chair Annie Costandi said heavy rains had prompted residents to ask when lawns would be mowed, suggesting limited appetite for a campaign that asks people to delay mowing. Lani Ravin of UVM recalled a university pilot that “was probably too successful” and prompted resident complaints about rodents. Voigt reiterated the need for an economic case if mowing frequency is to change.
The committee did not take action on endorsing the campaign; staff will carry the discussion forward as part of upcoming agenda items and communications work. The presentation and follow-up questions highlighted a research finding that mowing regime affects biodiversity, while leaving open questions about pollutant outcomes and municipal appetite for outreach.
